A group of young people from Hull have created a film exploring mental health issues.

"Surviving Thriving" was made by young people in the region to explore emotions and mental health issues and comes from a joint partnership between the Humber NHS Foundation Trust's SMASH programme and the Cornerhouse young people's peer mentor project.

The six-week project saw the group create a bid that focused on reduscing the stigma around mental health while learning about emotional and mental wellbeing and making it everyone's business.

During the project, the group engaged in emotional and mental health sessions while on a two-night residential trip.

They explored techniques on how best to improve their emotional resilience and mental wellbeing, learned independent life skills and embraced peer-to-peer support.

The group put together a film for the project (Image: SMASH Cornerhouse)

The group transformed their learning into a piece of contemporary dance and the whole process was filmed and premiered on Friday, March 23 at The Octagon in Walker Street.

Jess, who took part in the process said: "My journey on this has been nice, I felt like no one left me out. I've been happy and really want it to continue."

Another member of the group, Emily, said: "Everybody has a different story, don't judge somebody else because you don't know theirs."

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Joe also said the trip "made us understand each other and ourselves better."

Also in attendance was Annbel McCourt, who filmed the whole process.

SMASH programme manager, Emma Train-Sullivan, said: "I have delivered early intervention for young people's emotional resilience and mental health for 16 years.

The film was shown at the premiere at The Octagon on Walker Street (Image: Annabel McCourt)

"I have seen young people flourish through accessing the right support at the right time for them. But I have to say with confidence, that this young person co-produced project has completely blown me away.

"They are truly inspirational and I feel blessed to have watched them grow and see them not only survive, but 'thrive.'"

Head of transformation at Humber NHS Foundation Trust, Peter Flanagan, said: "I had the privilege of spending some time with these young people and was struck by how quickly they had become a cohesive group.

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"They have already given us a commitment as a group to their central role in co-designing our future Thrive, like support for local young people with emotional mental health needs. I am convinced their experiences and views will be a huge asset to us."

Estelle Parker, project co-ordinator for the young people's peer mentoring project at Cornerhouse, said: "For me, it was really nice to see the young people participating in various activities that can improve mental wellbeing, such as getting outside and taking walks, learning new skills and coming together as a group to support each other.

"What particularly stood out for me was that none of the group used their mobile phones and had face to face conversations with each other and staff. I felt that the residential trip enabled them to have the opportunity to be away from social media, which is sometimes needed for this generation."